Just in time for the arrival of his former team, Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel has taken over the lead in the NHL's all-star voting.

And captain Dion Phaneuf, linemate Joffrey Lupul and goalie James Reimer are gaining.

Kessel, famously picked last in last season's draft of all-star teams, leads the NHL with 16 goals and 31 points. He has taken the overall lead in the fan balloting with 258,446 votes after two weeks of voting, leapfrogging a pair of Ottawa Senators.